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I have a terraced side yard where the bottom terrace isn't getting full sun 6-8 hours per day. Its shaded for most of the day except for the few hours the sun is right above. So let's say full sun 3-4 hours tops. Then after that, high bushes/trees = intermittent sun/shade.

I'd love to use this nice space to plant veggies or fruits. I'd even consider planting some dwarf citrus down here or berry bushes, but I'm seeing they need full sun. Any ideas for veggies that will do ok in partial sun?

I have seen women looking at jewelry ads with a misty eye and one hand resting on the heart, and I only know what they're feeling because that's how I read the seed catalogs in January - Barbara Kingsolver - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Actually, I was standing out there yesterday and came to the conclusion that if I can convince the HOA to cut down a large, high bush in front of my lower yard that I will get at least a couple more hours of sun there. I'll work on some way to word my request that touts the benefits of doing this from an environmental, teaching my child about sustainability, etc....

And YES, for those of you that have never experienced an HOA - they can be pure joy ;-)

Actually, I was standing out there yesterday and came to the conclusion that if I can convince the HOA to cut down a large, high bush in front of my lower yard that I will get at least a couple more hours of sun there. I'll work on some way to word my request that touts the benefits of doing this from an environmental, teaching my child about sustainability, etc....

And YES, for those of you that have never experienced an HOA - they can be pure joy ;-)

-Tiffany

There is a Home Owner's Association in the village I live in. Fortunately they're not as strict as Home Owner's Associations can be. You need to get permission for things like a new roof. It's more of a formality because they always let you do such a thing. They just require your new roof to color coordinate your house.....if you have tan-colored siding on your house, they won't let you put on purple roofing shingles.

They do require you to get permission to build any major structure....an addition or maybe a big garden shed, but I'm just building two 4 x 10 boxes on the side of a house. Not really permission-worthy if you ask me.

I have a similar problem with my garden, which gets perhaps 3-4 hours of sun per day. However, I somehow manage to get beans, tomatoes, occasionally some small ears of corn, and a cuke or zuke or two.

If you do try to grow summer crops like these, observe your raised beds carefully to determine which squares receive the most sunlight, and plant accordingly (kjeeping in mind that trellises for vining plants generally should be placed on the North side).

Actually, I was standing out there yesterday and came to the conclusion that if I can convince the HOA to cut down a large, high bush in front of my lower yard that I will get at least a couple more hours of sun there. I'll work on some way to word my request that touts the benefits of doing this from an environmental, teaching my child about sustainability, etc....

And YES, for those of you that have never experienced an HOA - they can be pure joy ;-)

-Tiffany

I just tell them the bush needs trimming! Tree trimming is a January thing in CA.

My shade thrower is actually not on our HOA property, but does hang over. It's a 20' red trumpet jasmine, so it isn't like trimming a tree. It just keeps on growing.

I live in SC and personally I think the amount of heat you get shortens the amt. of direct sun you need. I planted my whole garden beneath a big pine tree. I doubt if any box gets more than 5 hrs. per day. Some boxes get morning sun and some get afternoon sun, but they all get the heat. We also have high humidity here. I originally did this for me, but, I think the plants like it too.